Treasure hunter on a winning streak

Ray Peternell did it again.

With a knowledge of local history and his victory from last year still fresh in his mind, the Carson City carpenter bested hundreds of others and found the treasure in the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. The medallion was hidden in Riverview Park at the east end of Fifth Street, staked to the ground under some brush off the main path.

"I couldn't believe it," said Peternell, who won last year's hunt on Clue No. 13. "I was like, 'No way!'"

No way also was the reaction of the other hunters that were drawn to the park Tuesday morning based on Clue No. 12.

"Next year we're gonna beat this guy," declared Susan Jepsen, who showed up after it was all over.

"At least I came in second place," said Kathi Menath who also arrived at the park too late. Menath, recently retired from the state, said she was obsessed with the hunt. She'd wake every morning at 5 a.m. to snatch the clues off the Internet, then she and her dog Jack would go out hunting.

Her search found her snooping around the Capitol grounds before sunrise with a penlight, fending off an angry snake after she poked around in some rocks, and petting a wild stallion.

"You get to sleep in tomorrow, Jack," she told her dog.

Peternell, taking advantage of the slow period in his line of work, beat Menath in her hunting routine too.

He said he started making his coffee at 4 a.m. and was out of the house at 5.

On Tuesday he'd been scouring the brush along the trails at Riverview Park for two hours when he met an older woman in her 70s was also hunting in the area.

They chatted a bit and went in opposite directions.

Although the woman had searched the spot where Peternell ultimately found the prize, he decided to look again. There, staked to the ground off the main path he found the earth-colored satchel.

As soon as he had it in his hands, he went to find the woman and let her off the hook.

"She had tears in her eyes and gave me a hug," he said.

Peternell said he'll use some of the $1,000 prize to buy his wife Cindy flowers, "for putting up with me." His 11-year-old daughter Lacey, who accompanied him on the hunts after school, might get a little kickback too.

But the remainder of his booty will likely go toward putting in new hardwood floors at home like Cindy's been wanting.

Sponsored by Sierra Electric and the Nevada Appeal, Peternell will receive his engraved medallion and $1,000 prize by Oct. 30, said Laurie Olson. A member of the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt committee, Olson's family created the hunt and fashioned it after a treasure they did as children growing up in Oregon.

Peternell said he'll be back again next year, though not in an attempt to hang on to his title for bragging rights.

"I kind of feel like I should let somebody else win it. But I still want to do. It's fun."

Clue No. 1

Abraham Lincoln sought truth and justice

By proclamation, the slaves were set free

If you follow our clues for finding the treasure

You won't be defeated like General Lee

Explanation: "Nevada Day Salutes President Lincoln" is the theme of this year's Nevada Day celebration. This clue opens the hunt by honoring that theme.

Clue No. 2

Search the area

Once known as Millard

And finding the treasure

Won't be that hard

Explanation: Before Nevada became a state, it was divided into territorial counties. The area known as Millard spanned most or all of the counties where the treasure is traditionally hidden.

Clue No. 3

Solving through research

Is so crystal clear

Refer to Clue 2

From another year

Explanation: The word "crystal" steers hunters to the second clue from 2007 when the treasure was hidden in Galena Creek Park. The clue from that year reveals that the hiding place is in a county that has previously hosted the medallion, thus narrowing the field to Carson, Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Washoe counties - eliminating Mineral and Churchill.

Clue No. 4

"And every man a miner"

Is what he said

Many miles away this one

Mined sandstone instead

Explanation: The quote is from Abraham Lincoln's 1860 "Discoveries and Inventions" speech in which he called "every man a miner" because each of us digs out our own destiny on this earth. Across the country, another Abraham - Abraham Curry - was using sandstone from a quarry he established to construct buildings in Carson City. The treasure is hidden somewhere in Carson City, which Curry founded in 1858.

Clue No. 5

One title, four chapters

But not really a book

Thirteen forty-nine

Reveal where to look

Explanation: Title 13 of the Carson City Municipal Code governs the Parks Department and contains four chapters of code. There are 49 parks and open spaces shown on the department's online map. The treasure will be found in one of those 49 places.

Clue No. 6

The cartographer draws

A blue line that roams

Beneath shady trees

And past scenic homes

Explanation: Blue lines on maps signify waterways. The treasure is hidden near a waterway that flows beneath mature trees and past the natural habitat of various kinds of wildlife.

Clue No. 7

A distant whistle sound

Sand and sage on the ground

Near where I am standing

The treasure will be found

Explanation: The recently restored V&T Railway runs from Virginia City to a temporary depot in northeast Carson City. If you're standing at the location of the treasure when the train is approaching or leaving, you can hear the whistle in the distance.

Clue No. 8

Father Ambrose

Built his dream

From his secret rest

Survey the scene

Explanation: Nicholas Ambrose was the founding father of Empire City, a milling town that once thrived where Empire Ranch Golf Course is now located. His final resting place is Empire Cemetery, situated on a small hill overlooking Riverview Park and the surrounding area. "Secret" refers to the fact that the cemetery is difficult to find since the only entrance is through an adjacent concrete manufacturing plant.

Clue No. 9

Bypass this one

Link two parts

You're getting near

Review your chartz

Explanation: This clue refers to four significant ranches in Carson City. The bypass currently under construction runs through the old Lompa Ranch on Fifth Street. Turning from Fifth Street onto Carson River Road leads the hunter to Buzzy's Ranch, which is open space linking 86 acres of the former Andersen property and 397 acres of the former Jarrard property. "Chartz" refers to Alfred Chartz who was the first known owner of the red house at Silver Saddle Ranch, preserved as an example of a Carson City working ranch. The treasure is hidden somewhere in the vicinity of these ranches.

Clue No. 10

Three amigos

Doubled most

Two live nearby

And one's a ghost

Explanation: This clue refers to the Mexican Dam, the Mexican Ditch, and the Mexican Mill. In the 1860s, the dam fed the ditch, which meandered north and powered the mill. When all three were in place and operating, the mill crushed double the amount of ore than almost any other mill in the territory. The mill no longer stands, but the dam and ditch still exist and are near the medallion's hiding place.

Clue No. 11

We'll try to make this easy

We hope it's not complex

Find where Vegas, Elko, Carson

And Reno intersect

Explanation: The Korean War Memorial at the east end of Fifth Street pays tribute to 34 Nevadans who died in this war. Flanking the monument are four boulders marked Reno, Las Vegas, Elko and Carson. They represent the four hills in the Nevada Complex battle of 1953.

Clue No. 12

Bricks and mortar

Headstones of a ranch

Serve as the gateway

Now choose the branch

Explanation: This clue speaks specifically of the two remaining vestiges of the Pierini Ranch at the entrance to Riverview Park - a brick milk house and a brick oven. Inside the park, the hunter needs to choose the correct trail in order to find the treasure.